Page 108 of Steel Beauty

I weave through the onlookers until I’m right in front of Alex. Without hesitation, I step between him and the man, a barrier against the tension that feels ready to explode. Placing my hand gently on his chest, I can feel the thunderous booming of his heart beneath my palm—wild, unsteady, and barely contained.

“Hey, babe.”

His eyes snap to mine, recognition cutting through the storm brewing inside him.

“You know how much I love the song ‘Endless Love.’” I offer a small smile, tilting my head as if nothing is wrong. “Come dance with me?”

Behind me, Sir-Picks-a-Fight scoffs, his smug laughter slicing through the thick air. “That’s right, Sebring.” His words drip with venom. “Stick to dancing. Leave the real game to those who can actually handle it.”

I don’t flinch, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a reaction. My gaze stays locked on Alex’s, unwavering. “I’ll be so sad if we don’t dance tooursong.”

I slide my hand into his and give it a gentle squeeze.

Leaning in closer, I whisper, my words meant only for him. “Remember what we talked about? He’s baiting you, trying to make you snap in front of everyone so he can paint you as the villain. Don’t give him that satisfaction, Alex. Come with me.”

His jaw tightens, tension radiating off him like a physical force. But slowly, I feel the fight drain from his body. His shoulders ease, and his grip on my hand shifts—not in anger, but in quiet surrender.

I lead him away from the crowd, his steps heavy, reluctant, but following. The strain of everything he’s holding inside clings to him, his silence louder than any outburst.

When we reach the center of the dance floor, surrounded by a sea of swaying couples and safely out of sight of his nemesis, I stop and turn to him. My hands find his face, gently cradling it, his jaw tight beneath my touch, his breaths coming in shallow, uneven pulls.

“Alex,” I whisper, brushing my thumbs along his jawline in reassuring strokes. “It’s over. Look at me. Just me. You’re in control.”

His gaze locks on mine, the turmoil in his eyes fading as he steadies himself. His breathing slows as his tension unravels. I rise onto my toes, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. He hesitates for a moment, then exhales deeply, his body softening as he lets go of the storm brewing within him.

When I pull back, his words come out rough, barely controlled. “You’re my peace in the madness. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

The music surrounds us, soft and steady, as we move together in a slow rhythm. His grip on me is firm yet somehow tender, as though letting go would shatter something fragile between us. The room, the crowd, the tension—all of it fades away until it’s only the two of us, steady and inseparable in a world of our own making.

Alex presses his lips to my ear. “Do you want to get out of here?”

I tilt my head up to meet his gaze, offering a gentle smile. “I’ll do whatever you want.”

His brow arches slightly, the faintest smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “WhateverI want?”

“Anything. Just say the word.”

His eyes dart over his shoulder toward Tyson, his jaw tightening as his expression hardens. “What I want is to leave before he pushes me to a place I can’t come back from.”

“Then let’s go,” I say without hesitation, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze.

As we weave through the crowd and step outside to the waiting car, I steal a glance at Alex. His profile is taut, his thoughts clearly heavy, the pull of unspoken emotions dragging him into silence. He doesn’t deserve this—not tonight, not ever. Whatever darkness Tyson stirred, whatever storm is brewing inside him, I’ll make sure it stops here. By the time this night is over, the chaos will be a distant memory. I’ll make sure he remembers only the calm I gave him.

Chapter26

Magnolia Steel

The silence wrapsaround us in the back of the limo, heavy and unyielding, a melancholy neither of us can seem to lift. Alex sits beside me, his posture rigid, his gaze fixed on the city lights blurring past the window. The tension radiating off him feels like a fortress, keeping me out.

I can’t stand it.

I shift closer, placing my hand gently on his thigh. He doesn’t react, doesn’t move, and the ache in my chest tightens.

“Alex.” I lean into him. “Don’t do this.”

His eyes land on me, guarded and distant. “Do what?”

“Shut me out.” My fingers brush over his hand, a silent plea for connection. “I’m right here. Don’t disappear on me.”

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